Review—Synthesis and Electrochemical Applications of Molybdenum Carbide: Recent Progress and Perspectives

In this review, we summarize the latest research progress on Mo2C based materials for various electrochemical applications. It starts with discussing the different synthesis methods and the tactics for modifying the physicochemical characteristics of Mo2C. In addition, the variables that influence the morphology and electrochemical performance of Mo2C have been explored. The synthesis methods are examined based on their tricks, benefits, and drawbacks, including solid-gas, solid-solid, solid-liquid, and some other processes (chemical vapor deposition, Sonochemical, microwave-assisted, plasma, etc.). Methods that are safe, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and suited for large-scale production of Mo2C are given special consideration. The solid-solid reaction is found to be a facile and cost-effective method to synthesize Mo2C structures having high surface area and small particle size. Also, the various electrochemical applications of Mo2C are reviewed. Mo2C is an extremely active and durable electrocatalyst mainly for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrochemical parameters such as activity, stability, etc., are examined and described in detail. The possible ways to improve the electrochemical performance of Mo2C are discussed. Finally, the difficulties in developing Mo2C nanostructures that are suited for energy storage and conversion applications are discussed.

Silica: Ubiquitous Poison of Metal Oxide Interfaces

In this review, we consider electrochemical applications, broadly conceived, in which both ions and electrons play key roles in device operation and where exchange of oxygen between the gas and...

Colloidal Synthesis of MoSe2/WSe2 Heterostructure Nanoflowers via Two-Step Growth

The ability to control the active edge sites of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is crucial for modulating their chemical activity for various electrochemical applications, including hydrogen evolution reactions. In this study, we demonstrate a colloidal synthetic method to prepare core-shell-like heterostructures composed of MoSe2 and WSe2 via a two-step sequential growth. By overgrowing WSe2 on the surface of preexisting MoSe2 nanosheet edges, MoSe2-core/WSe2-shell heterostructures were successfully obtained. Systematic comparisons of the secondary growth time and sequential order of growth suggest that the low synthetic temperature conditions allow the stable overgrowth of shells rich in WSe2 on top of the core of MoSe2 with low Gibbs formation energy. The electrochemical analysis confirms that the catalytic activity correlates to the core-shell composition variation. Our results propose a new strategy to control the edge site activity of TMD materials prepared by colloidal synthesis, which is applicable to diverse electrochemical applications.